The CEO’S Orphan Wife

I was uncertain about the time Ivan arrived home, as I had retreated upstairs to my room after a conversation with my mother-in-law, attempting to find solace in sleep. I was determined not to dwell on my worries and shed tears.

My husband’s warm embrace enveloped me, and he softly murmured something, but my extreme exhaustion left me unable to comprehend his words. The next morning, I awoke before Ivan, showered, and descended to the kitchen to assist with breakfast preparations.

My in-laws, Mom and Dad, were already up, sipping their morning coffee and reading the newspaper.

“We didn’t sleep well last night, your mom and I…”

I looked at my father-in-law while I was cutting vegetables. I’m the one who makes salad for my sister’s breakfast. “Why is that, Dad?”

“We were concerned about you, dear…”

My emotions welled up, biting my lip. If it weren’t for this loving couple who had taken me in, I couldn’t fathom where I might be today. I am grateful that my parents have a compassionate friend who extended their kindness to me. Their affection and the way they treated me made me feel like a cherished part of their family.

I should probably count myself as fortunate, or at least, I sincerely hope I am.

“Let us talk to Ivan…”

“Thank you…” My tears welled up, prompting me to pause my task. Mommy motioned for me to come closer, and they embraced me.

Ivan appeared to have just awakened from his sleep, with disheveled hair and still in his pajamas as he descended to the kitchen. He took a deep breath upon spotting me.

“Why?” I inquired, perplexed, as I looked at him. He approached me and offered a comforting hug instead.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I momentarily set down the plates I was holding to prevent them from breaking.

“Why?” I asked again, while he embraced me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder.

“Nothing…”

I pondered what might have happened to him.

As we all exchanged glances during the meal, Ivan’s sister was the one to break the silence as breakfast drew to a close.

“I’m not happy with how often you visit Maureen, Ivan. Please consider Myla too…”

Their parents cleared their throats.

“You’re already married to Myla, Ivan. Your relationship with her is firmly established, yet…” my brother-in-law trailed off.

Ivan held my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sorry, love…”

I flashed a smile. “It’s alright. I already said it’s fine.”

Mom and my sister-in-law exchanged disapproving looks. I could tell they were frustrated with me for allowing Ivan to make his own decision.

His parents had a private discussion with him in the study room. I didn’t know what they told my husband, but I hoped they wouldn’t put pressure on him, as it could make his situation worse.

I share Ivan’s feelings, and while it is a source of anguish for me, my empathy for him runs deep. I can discern that Maureen experiences similar sentiments. However, this doesn’t alter the reality that I am now Ivan’s spouse, with a legitimate connection to him.

Yearning for a friend to share my thoughts with, I find myself wishing for someone else to confide in regarding this complex situation, but if I were to confide in my friend, she would likely reprimand me.

Once again, Ivan didn’t go to his office, but he sent some paperwork to his secretary.

I whipped up fresh juice for him and also offered cookies, which I baked.

He inquired, “Do you have any plans for today?”

I was all dressed up in a coordinated outfit and heels. I was on my way to meet with a business owner. My intention was to invest and make my money grow. It wasn’t a significant investment because I didn’t have a large sum in the bank.

“Yes, I have a meeting. It might last until the afternoon,” I responded.

He pondered for a moment, then drew me close and seated me on his lap. His fingers caressed my pendant, and they brushed against my cleavage, eliciting a smile from me as I playfully shook my head.

“I need to head out to avoid the traffic,” I remarked, kissing him.

“Later tonight, alright?” I couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.

“Yes, be prepared for tonight!” I playfully bit his lip, making him groan as he reluctantly let me go.

“Ivan, I really must go. I might get stuck in traffic.”

“Okay… Goodbye, wife!”

“Bye, mister!”

I left home with a sense of excitement. I was fortunate not to be late for the meeting; the CEO and I arrived simultaneously, and then promptly launched into our meeting, covering a wide range of topics. I gathered numerous ideas from him that I could implement once I established my business.

Our meeting was extended until four in the afternoon. I was on my way home when I unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance who engaged me in a conversation, leading to a delay that stretched into the evening.

It was already seven in the evening, and I was concerned my husband might be upset by now. To make matters worse, my phone’s battery was running low as I had forgotten to charge it the previous night.

I hastened to our bedroom, but I found it empty. After changing my clothes, I descended the stairs, hoping to find him in the dining area.

To my dismay, he wasn’t there either. The only individuals present were my in-laws, eating dinner in silence and appearing to be in a terrible mood.

“Where’s Ivan?” My voice quivered with anxiety, struggling to comprehend the situation. An overwhelming sense of unease washed over me.

“He left, around two this afternoon,” they informed me, their eyes filled with sorrow. I was suddenly overcome by intense anxiety.

One of the maids promptly came to assist me, and Ivan’s sister and brother approached me as well.

“Did he… Did he go to Maureen?” I stammered.

I massaged my forehead, my hand trembling. Suddenly, a sharp headache struck, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

I won’t cry.

I refused to shed tears.

My hand shook, and my entire body felt on the verge of giving way. Darn it!

“Myla…”

“Myla…”

My mother-in-law offered a gentle pat on my back.

“Take a breath, dear.”

“Breathe…”

“Water, give her water!”

They were all growing increasingly frantic. My mother-in-law tenderly caressed my back and said, “Dear, just let it out. Cry…”

Tears streamed down my face, and I found myself sobbing uncontrollably.

“Go fetch Ivan!” Dad instructed Ivan’s brother.

“No, please, don’t. Let him be if that’s what he wants,” I interjected.

It’s likely he recollected, but he didn’t bid farewell. I wished he had expressed something. I returned home before him, and he didn’t seem to take my feelings into account.

I held the belief that he cherished our marriage and held me in high regard. As the clock neared nine in the evening, I chose to forgo dinner and retreated to our room.

There, I reclined on the bed for a brief moment, patiently enduring the passing of thirty minutes, but Ivan still hadn’t returned home.

Have you finally made a decision, Ivan? Can’t you suppress your feelings any longer?

I walked over to the closet, grabbed my suitcase, and began packing.

By ten in the evening, I descended the stairs. Ivan’s parents were in the living room, their expressions marked by frustration as they waited for him.

“Myla!” My mother-in-law rushed toward me, tears streaming down her face as she enveloped me in her embrace.

“Myla, please…”

“Mom, I’m sorry, but I must leave now. Thank you for everything-”

“Myla?”

We both turned our attention to the door. Ivan’s eyes widened as he beheld me and the suitcase I clutched in one hand.

“Where are you going?”

I offered no reply. I mustered a smile, but no matter how hard I tried, my smile couldn’t conceal the bitterness and sadness that lurked beneath.

He approached me with determined strides, wrested the suitcase from my grip, and let it fall with a thud before enveloping me in a tight embrace.

“You’re leaving me? I’m sorry… I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention. Please. Please…”

Tears welled up in his eyes.

“For the sake of everyone, I have to go. I need to leave.”

“But you’re my wife.”

“Ivan, you don’t love me. I’ve never held a place in your heart, not even from the start. Though we’re married, your love is not for me.”

He shook his head and clasped me with greater intensity.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I promise I won’t repeat my mistakes.”

“Ivan, let’s spare each other further agony.”

“By this Friday, we’re leaving the country. We’re heading to the US. I assure you, Maureen won’t be a part of our lives. I promise!”

I could sense the burden of our situation weighing heavily on him, the inner turmoil he was grappling with.

He locked eyes with me, his hands tenderly cradling my cheeks. Tears flowed freely down both our faces.

“We’re going away. We’ll start anew.”

For a prolonged moment, I remained in silence, simply gazing at him.

“Okay…” I eventually nodded.

He smiled and held me in a tight embrace. Oh, God! Why do I get the feeling that he’s beginning to develop feelings for me? Why does it seem like he might already love me?

Could this be an answered prayer? Please confirm that you’ve heard my years of prayer…

My mother-in-law returned my suitcase to our room. They spoke to us before allowing us to rest. They offered a lot of advice about married life and scolded Ivan multiple times.

By the time we reached our room, it was reaching midnight. He took a shower first while I organized some of our clothes in the closet.

“Are you alright?” I inquired, observing him as he massaged his temples.

“Just a slight headache.”

“Did you recall something?”

He nodded.

“Would you mind sharing it with me?”

“It’s not important, love.”

So, it’s more likely his memories with Maureen that he recollected, if that’s the case.

“Okay, you should take your medicine first. Then you can go to sleep.”

After taking a shower, I was taken aback when he unexpectedly joined me.

“What’s the matter… I thought you had a headache?”

He pursed his lips and began to fidget with his hands. He went to sleep ahead of me after wearing himself out.

***

On the following day, Ivan and I ventured out for some shopping. Despite my suggestion that he stay home due to not feeling well, he insisted on joining me.

His growing affection and attentiveness began to dispel my uncertainties gradually.

***

Our luggage is all prepared and ready. We’ll be departing tonight. Ivan is currently at the office, attending a meeting with the board. I was in high spirits throughout the day, even going as far as inspecting our suitcases to ensure we didn’t leave anything behind.

***

“Hi, are you heading home?” I inquired with a smile as he called. It was already six in the evening, and we were supposed to be at the airport by ten.

“Love, you go ahead to the airport. I’ll follow. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

I lapsed into silence.

Why aren’t we going to the airport together? Our luggage has already found its place in the car, and the driver stands ready just outside. My gaze drifted towards my mother-in-law and his sister. There was a yearning to convey this, yet I grappled with the question of whether it was essential to disclose this information to them.

“O-okay…” I managed a smile, but deep down, the joy I had been feeling started to crumble.

“Alright, see you…”

The call was abruptly cut off.

My mother-in-law asked, “What did he say?”

“He mentioned that I should meet him near the mall, Mom…”

“The mall?”

“Yes, Mom. Alright, I have to leave.”

I kissed them on their cheek and hastened to get into the SUV.

“Bye, Mom! Come over with us soon!”

They had promised to visit us in two weeks, so I kept our farewell short.

“Driver, could you please speed up? We’re going to the Greco Building.”

“Pardon?”

Despite the confusion, the driver accelerated. As we approached the intersection near Ivan’s office, his car was just departing from the building.

“Driver, please follow Ivan’s car.”

I felt like I was on the brink of losing my composure at that moment. I clung tightly to the car seat, unsure of what to make of this situation. I wasn’t certain whether I could trust my current thoughts or if it would be wiser to witness everything with my own eyes for clarity.

After following Ivan for ten minutes, his car came to a stop in front of his favorite restaurant.

“Dear God, grant me strength.”

My entire body trembled, and I felt almost too feeble to exit the car.

You can do this, Myla. You can do this!

I took a deep breath before cautiously stepping out and proceeding into the restaurant.

I couldn’t spot Ivan, so it was probable that he was in the VIP room. Whom had he met? How significant was this meeting for him to choose it even with just a few hours left before our flight?

I’m familiar with the supervisor here, so when I observed their reactions, it was as though my queries had been addressed.

I reciprocated with a smile and a nod, signaling to them. The surprised supervisor, in turn, nodded in response and escorted me inside.

I had doubts about whether I could confront the two of them, but I proceeded to their room, anyway. However, I hesitated and didn’t open the door.

Instead, I peered through a narrow gap, and when I witnessed the two individuals engaged in a kiss, my world fell apart, and my heart shattered.

Seeing them, one aspect remained unmistakable: my resolve to leave and create distance from my husband’s life.